Virginia Ann DeJong

Virginia Ann (Haan) DeJong, 78, passed from this life into eternal life on May 26, 2025, surrounded with love and family. Born on August 10, 1946 in Roseland (Chicago), Virginia dedicated her life to to creating a nurturing home for her beloved husband of 59 years, Lloyd, and their three children.

As a newly married young woman, Virginia very much wanted children and a family. Her goal was to be a great mom, following the example she had of her grandmother who raised her. Her greatest joy derived from spending time with her family and watching their children grow up. In particular, Virginia had a heart for “the littles”. There wasn’t a baby she didn’t welcome and want to cuddle and spending time with three and four year olds was her happy place. For several years she and a dear friend led the 3/4 year old class during the Mom’s weekly Bible Study at Grace Baptist Church. Virginia didn’t do things in half-measure. She went all in. When her young family of 5 moved from the Chicago area to the greater Los Angeles area for work, she embraced the changes and planted deep roots in her new community. When the family moved again 5 years later to Racine, she did the same. Virginia could roll with the changes life threw at her with grace and a sense a humor.

As longtime members of Grace Church, she was involved with many aspects of congregational life. When her children were in high school she made it known that all were welcome, and to let her know if they were hungry. Just please clean up after yourself! Years later, it wasn’t uncommon for someone to bump into her at the grocery and say “Ma Jong (the kids’ nickname for her) - is that you” and it would be one of the now adults who she welcomed into her home greeting her with a big hug. Above all, Virginia was a role model for her children, their friends, and her extended family. She opened her heart and her home as an aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and most of all, as a mother to many.

Virginia is survived by her husband, Lloyd, children Michele (David), Lloyd 2, and Scott (Lynne), her grandchildren Robert (Briannon), Jenny, Gianna, and Karl, and her great grandchildren, Shiann and Hunter.

A celebration of Virginia’s life will be held at Maresh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home on Friday June 6, 2025, with visitation at 10:00 and service at 11:00 am.To view the service online, visit Virginia's page on the funeral home website, select visitation/services and then Live Stream.